Attorney General Opinions

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As the chief legal officer for the State of West Virginia, the Attorney General is the "general lawyer for the State" and has the power to issue Opinions on questions of law. State ex rel. McGraw v. Burton, 212 W. Va. 23, 31 (2002) (internal quotation marks omitted). Under the West Virginia Constitution, the Attorney General has the authority to "express his legal view on matters of State legal policy." Id. at 40. Furthermore, the Office is required by statute to "give written opinions and advice upon questions of law ... whenever required to do so, in writing," by the Governor, a number of other specific State executive officers, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and "any other state officer, board, or commission." W. Va. Code § 5-3-1. The Attorney General also "may consult with and advise the several prosecuting attorneys in matters relating to the official duties of their office." Id. § 5-3-2.?

The Office of Attorney General is pleased to make available the Opinions issued during Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's tenure. Opinions can be accessed by clicking on the links below.